Signification
Tidying up one's living space.
Contexte culturel
The 'RUT-avdrag' allows people to deduct 50% of the labor cost for cleaning services, making it very common to hire help. 'Fredagsmys' often starts with cleaning the apartment so the family can relax in a clean environment. Swedish rental laws are very strict about 'flyttstädning'. If it's not perfect, you can be fined. In small city apartments, 'städa lägenheten' is often about maximizing space and decluttering.
The 'en' suffix
Always remember the '-en' at the end of 'lägenheten' to make it definite. 'Städa lägenhet' sounds like you are cleaning 'an' apartment in general.
Fredagsmys connection
If you want to sound very Swedish, mention that you clean on Fridays to prepare for 'Fredagsmys'.
Signification
Tidying up one's living space.
The 'en' suffix
Always remember the '-en' at the end of 'lägenheten' to make it definite. 'Städa lägenhet' sounds like you are cleaning 'an' apartment in general.
Fredagsmys connection
If you want to sound very Swedish, mention that you clean on Fridays to prepare for 'Fredagsmys'.
Particle verbs
Use 'städa upp' if you are cleaning up a specific mess (like after a party) rather than just routine cleaning.
Diska vs Städa
Never say 'städa tallrikarna' (clean the plates). Always use 'diska'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'städa'.
I går ________ jag lägenheten i tre timmar.
The phrase 'I går' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
Which sentence is the most natural for a Swede?
A: Jag städar min lägenhet. B: Jag städar lägenheten.
Swedes prefer the definite form 'lägenheten' when it's obvious whose apartment it is.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are moving out of your apartment and need to clean it perfectly.
'Flyttstädning' is the specific term for cleaning when moving.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ska vi gå på bio? B: Jag kan inte, jag måste ________ lägenheten.
You clean (städa) an apartment; you wash (diska) dishes.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Cleaning Verbs in Swedish
What are you cleaning?
- • Lägenhet -> Städa
- • Kläder -> Tvätta
- • Tallrikar -> Diska
- • Bil -> Tvätta/Städa
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI går ________ jag lägenheten i tre timmar.
The phrase 'I går' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
A: Jag städar min lägenhet. B: Jag städar lägenheten.
Swedes prefer the definite form 'lägenheten' when it's obvious whose apartment it is.
You are moving out of your apartment and need to clean it perfectly.
'Flyttstädning' is the specific term for cleaning when moving.
A: Ska vi gå på bio? B: Jag kan inte, jag måste ________ lägenheten.
You clean (städa) an apartment; you wash (diska) dishes.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually, you say 'städa bilen' if you are tidying the inside (picking up trash), but 'tvätta bilen' if you are washing the outside.
It is neutral. It's used in both casual conversation and official rental documents.
'Plocka' is just picking things up. 'Städa' includes vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning surfaces.
Use the supine form: 'Jag har städat'.
It is the very thorough cleaning you do when you move out of an apartment, often regulated by law.
It sounds a bit clinical, like you are disinfecting a laboratory. Stick to 'städa'.
99% of the time it is 'lägenheten' (the apartment).
It means to do a 'big clean' or deep clean, usually once a season.
There is a high cultural standard for home cleanliness, often linked to the concept of 'home as a sanctuary'.
Yes, you can say 'städa upp på skrivbordet' (clean up the desktop) figuratively.
Expressions liées
Dammsuga
specialized formTo vacuum
Plocka undan
similarTo tidy up/put away
Storstäda
builds onTo deep clean
Flyttstäda
specialized formTo clean for moving out
Vårstäda
specialized formSpring cleaning
